Real Florida Reader Card

Florida State Parks teamed up with the Division of Library and Information Services to create a program called the Real Florida Reader. The joint venture is designed to get Florida families exploring the outdoors and their local libraries.

You have to visit your local library and “check out” the Real Florida ReaderState Park Pass. This will give you free day use admission to most Florida State Parks (Pass excludes Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs, Skyway Fishing Pier and Weeki Wachee Springs state parks).

It works a lot like checking out a book. Each location may have a limited number of passes available for checkout. If you get one, you’ll have to return it to the same location.

For a full list of guidelines and restrictions, visit The Florida State Park Website or contact your local library.

South Florida is home to 14 state parks. That’s a lot of land to explore! My family is currently working on visiting all of them. There are beaches, swamps, hammocks, historical landmarks, springs, trails — something for everyone to do and see. Living in South Florida is a great home base for experiencing all of it. Here are a few of my favorite state parks within two hours of Fort Lauderdale.

HUGH TAYLOR BIRCH STATE PARK - Fort Lauderdale

This is probably my favorite state park in South Florida. There are endless options for a fun day with family (including dogs), or for a zen day on your own.

Nature lovers can hike along two short trails and learn about local plants and wildlife while bicyclists and skaters glide along the paved park road.

Awesome activity options with the rentals, sightseeing, fishing, the restaurant and it is across the street from the beach.

It’s my favorite local getaway for a little bit of everything.

Park Website: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

OLETA RIVER STATE PARK - North Miami Beach

It is Florida’s largest urban park. Oleta River is located on Biscayne Bay in the busy Miami metropolitan area. Although it offers a variety of recreational opportunities, the park is best known for miles of off-road bicycling trails, ranging from novice trails to challenging trails for more experienced bicyclists.

Along the Oleta River, at the north end of the park, a large stand of beautiful mangrove forest preserves native South Florida plants and wildlife.

Canoeists and kayakers can paddle the river to explore this amazing natural area.

Swimming from a sandy beach and saltwater fishing are also popular activities. Picnic tables and grills are available.

Park Website: Oleta River State Park

JOHN D. MACARTHUR BEACH STATE PARK - North Palm Beach

A unique mixture of coastal and tropical hammock and mangrove forest, this barrier island provides a haven for several rare or endangered native tropical and coastal plant species.

The walk from the car to the beach will be a little less than a mile from start to chair. Bring a wagon for your gear and triple check that you don’t leave anything in the car because you won’t want to go back ;-) It’s a beautiful walk though and it is part of the experience. There is a shower near the end of the boardwalk but only one shower head works well so you may have to wait.

They have a shuttle if you don’t want to walk or are tired on your way back. The shuttle runs from 10 am till 4 pm.

The park’s Nature Center shows visitors why the park is a biological treasure. Visitors can swim, picnic, and surf at the beach; scuba diving and snorkeling are also popular activities.

Nature lovers can see herons, brown pelicans, ghost crabs, sandpipers, and gulls.

Anglers can fish in the lagoon by wading, kayaking, or canoeing. They can also fish from non-swimming areas of the beach.

Great place for the family, but come prepared! This is NOT a quick beach trip - spot it’s a full day experience.

Park Website: John D. McArthur Beach State Park